Scholar sexual abuse crisis: 30 KZN teachers accused of rape

KWAZULU-NATAL'S education system has been shaken by a new parliamentary report revealing a disturbing rise in serious misconduct cases involving teachers. This incude 30 allegations of statutory rape and several cases involving the sexual assault of young learners.

- MHLENGI SHANGASE

CHAIRPERSON of the parliamentary portfolio committee on basic education, Khomotjo Maimela, said the issue of statutory rape of learners speaks directly to constitutional and moral duty to protect every learner's right to safety, dignity and education. I YouTube

The findings were presented to the parliamentary portfolio committee on basic education this week by the KZN Department of Education's Deputy Director for Corporate Affairs, Advocate Bheki Masuku, who painted a troubling picture of learners being violated by those entrusted with their safety and care.

Masuku said the department had recorded 71 misconduct cases against teachers this year.

Some of the most serious involve allegations of rape, including instances said to have occurred within school premises.

One case cited in the report involves an 11-year-old Grade 5 learner who was allegedly assaulted in a manner “too brutal to detail publicly”.

In another case, a teacher is accused of supplying alcohol to a learner before sexually assaulting her.

Masuku told the committee that once cases are reported, the department conducts immediate investigations and suspends implicated teachers pending the outcome of disciplinary processes. He warned, however, that the system often struggles to respond quickly because some learners fear reporting incidents, while some schools prioritise protecting their image over reporting to authorities.

“Some schools simply focus on teaching. Others worry about the reputation of the school. And in some cases, schools refer matters to parents because they believe the parents should open cases,” Masuku said.